Seeing recruit Ilya Repin (1844-1930)
Ilya Repin – Seeing recruit
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Painter: Ilya Repin
Location: State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg (Государственный Русский Музей).
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The famous work of art belonging to the brush of Ilya Repin, "The Seeing-Off of a Recruit," saw the light of day in 1879. The painting is executed on canvas with oil paints. It has dimensions of 143x225 cm. Now the picture is exhibited in the Russian Museum, which is located in St. Petersburg. Ideas about writing a canvas originated with the artist when he and his family visited the estate Abramtsevo.
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Description of Ilya Repin’s painting "Seeing Off a Recruit".
The famous work of art belonging to the brush of Ilya Repin, "The Seeing-Off of a Recruit," saw the light of day in 1879. The painting is executed on canvas with oil paints. It has dimensions of 143x225 cm. Now the picture is exhibited in the Russian Museum, which is located in St. Petersburg.
Ideas about writing a canvas originated with the artist when he and his family visited the estate Abramtsevo. It belonged to his friend the patron of the arts Savva Mamontov. With whom the master met abroad at a dinner at Tretyakov. During his visits Repin spent a lot of time walking around the estate and had a chance to observe peasant life. Once the artist happened to witness a scene of seeing off a young recruit.
The painting more than realistically portrayed the difficult life of peasants. Incidents such as send-offs are always emotional and sensitive. The canvas depicts the people who came to say goodbye to the conscript. Literally everything around is permeated with sadness. Even small children are dejectedly watching.
Depicted animals, as if everything understands and keenly feel what is happening. Sad looks of the surrounding people convey the essence of the story. The central place in the picture is given to the weeping mother on the shoulder of her son. She is deeply affected by the parting of her son. Everyone present understands that this may be the last meeting. Beside them, standing silently, the old men, who have already seen much, seem to be the only ones who know the boy’s future.
If you look closely at each figure depicted on the canvas individually, you can clearly feel his feelings and experiences. Though they are all enveloped in the tragedy of what is happening, each person here is busy doing his own thing. This makes the picture even more interesting and emotional. In addition, Repin wonderfully portrayed the life of the peasants. Here and the wooden house, and shadows, and the costumes on the people. All this perfectly conveys the spirit of the time.
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The setting appears to be a rural community, possibly a farmyard or the entrance to a barn. A horse and cart are visible to the left, suggesting the means of departure. An older man with a distinctive hat and beard stands near the horse, perhaps the recruits father or a village elder, observing the scene with a somber expression. Other villagers, men and women, are gathered around, their faces a mixture of concern and resignation. On the right, a woman holds a baby, and other figures are visible in the background, adding to the sense of community witnessing this departure.
The subtext of the painting revolves around themes of duty, sacrifice, separation, and the harsh realities of life for common people. The recruits conscription signifies a departure from family and familiar surroundings, and the embrace and the onlookers expressions suggest the emotional weight of this impending separation. The presence of the younger child highlights the impact of such events on the entire family and community. The composition, with its somber tones and figures looking towards the central emotional drama, emphasizes the gravity of the moment, while the humble rural setting underscores the often-difficult lives of those subject to such calls to service. The painting captures a moment of farewell, laden with unspoken anxieties about the future and the potential dangers that await the young recruit.